The India Association of Long Island and Indian American Forum recently hosted a Diwali Celebration on Friday, Oct. 28 at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola.
Diwali, known as the “Festival of Lights,” signifies the start of the New Year on the Hindu calendar.
Nassau County Executive Mangano presented citations to members of the Hindu community in Nassau for their hard work and dedication.
“I am proud to join the Indian-American community for this event,” Mangano said. “Diwali is a time for celebration, but it is also a time for reflection.”
The honorees from Friday’s Diwali Celebration were Niketa Bhatia, a teacher in the Syosset Central School District who successfully petitioned the district to recognize Diwali as an official school holiday; Kawaljit Chandi, a community leader and businessman; Dr. Jagdish K. Gupta; Gautam Sanghavi, a certified public accountant who has also served positions on the Rotary Club and India Day Parade Finance Committee; and Herman Singh, a mortgage broker, realtor, real estate investor, developer, builder and community activist who founded Omni Mortgage.
On Wednesday, Oct. 5, the United States Postal Service unveiled a new postage stamp commemorating Diwali, and depicting a diva oil.
County celebrates Diwali
